Backstage at Brick City Homecoming

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Marissa Blockus

Marissa Blockus will be enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend this year. As director of programming for Student Government, she loves being involved on campus and may even get to rub elbows with this year’s Horton Distinguished Speaker, Michael J. Fox. Jealous?

Question: Where are you from?
Answer: Laurys Station, Pa.

Q: Why did you decide to come to RIT?
A: The co-op program and WE@RIT—Women in Engineering. RIT offers a strong community of female engineers. It caught my eye because, as any girl in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering will tell you, the women are scarce.

Q: Name something unusual that you’ve done.
A: Last winter, I became a “sweetheart” of RIT’s Phi Kappa Psi, N.Y., Theta chapter. The fraternity has only had five sweethearts since they joined the campus in 1992, so it’s a pretty rare thing.

Q: What is something that most people wouldn’t know about you when they first meet you?
A: I love to bake. I’d say I’m actually addicted to baking. I’m always making something, but I think that is mostly because I use it as a stress reliever.

Q: What types of things are you involved in around campus?
A: I’m a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and a student representative for the Gleason College Ethics Committee.

Q: How did you get into Student Government?
A: Vice President Phil Amsler asked if SG was something I would be interested in applying for. At the time, I was an event manager for the College Activities Board and looking for a way to get even more involved.

Q: For those that may have never been to the Horton Speaker event, what can they expect?
A: It is an educational session by someone of note, usually politicians or celebrities. This year it will be about Michael J. Fox’s inspirational journey.

Q: What are you going to say to Michael J. Fox when you meet him?
A: Thank you for coming, thank you for being an inspiration to so many people, and thank you for filling my life with so many great films.

Q: What is the biggest challenge and favorite part about organizing these events?
A: The biggest challenge is putting together reserved seating, scheduling and organizing something that accommodates more than 5,000 people. My favorite part will be seeing those same 5,000 people enjoy the talk.

Q: Any advice you would give to other RIT students?
A: Get involved and make the most of your time here. This is a great campus with so much to do and I am so glad I figured it out early—not to mention the options for free food have certainly helped my college student budget.

Scott Bureau covers student affairs for University News. Contact him at sbbcom@rit.edu with “Student Spotlight” suggestions.